ATLANTA (WANF/Gray News) – Rap star Young Thug has accepted a plea deal in his internationally watched criminal case.

Jeffery Williams (Young Thug’s real name) was released from prison Thursday night as part of his plea, although he could be sent back behind bars if he violates the terms of his sentence.

Upon his release, Williams will be sentenced to 15 years of supervised release.

Fulton County Superior Court Judge Paige Reese Whitaker said if Williams is successful in parole, the remainder of his sentence will be commuted to time served.

Apart from his biological brother, Williams was also barred from contacting any other defendants or witnesses at YSL. Quantitative Grier (aka Unfoonk) and Sergio Giavanni Kitchens (aka Gunna).

Accompanied by attorneys Brian Steele and Keith Adams, Williams accepted a non-negotiated plea; This may result in the defendant and prosecutors being unable to agree on a sentence.

Defense lawyers give the judge full authority over the sentence. The judge may follow the state’s or defense attorneys’ recommendations or impose a completely different sentence.

Earlier Thursday, Williams was sworn in and as he listened, Fulton County Deputy District Attorney Adriane Love read the charges against him. Williams was accompanied by his lawyers Brian Steele and Keith Adams.

Williams pleaded guilty to the remainder of the charges against him, including violations of Georgia drug and firearms charges.

Here are the accusations against Williams and his defense:

• violation of the Georgia RICO Act – no contest (no contest);
• Organizer of criminal street gang activity (leadership charge) – nolo contendere (no contest);
• Participating in criminal street gang activity – criminal;
• Possession of a machine gun – guilty;
• Possession of a firearm during the commission of a serious crime – felon;
• Three violations of Georgia’s Controlled Substances Act – guilty.

Love asked Fulton County Superior Court Judge Paige Reese Whitaker to impose a 45-year sentence, with 25 years on probation and 20 years on probation.

Williams’ attorneys requested a sentence of 40 years of supervised release and 45 years in prison, with time spent in prison to be taken into account for the charges. They also requested that Williams be kept under house arrest for three years and agreed to wear an ankle monitor for one year.

Advocates also promised that $100,000 would go to the Fulton County Sheriff’s Office to host a firearm buyback event. Williams will avoid being near the Cleveland Avenue area for the next three years and perform 100 hours of community service.

“I take full responsibility for my crimes,” Williams said. “I am a smart man; I am a good man. I hope you’ll let me come home and trust me to do the right thing.

“I learned from my mistakes,” Williams added.

Williams’ plea agreement was the latest development in what has become Georgia’s longest criminal case in history.

Earlier this week, Whitaker said publicly for the first time since he took over the case less than six months ago that he believed there was evidence of an organized crime-like conspiracy.

Inside accept a plea deal from someone Williams’ Co-defendant Quamarvation Nichols, Whitaker, said: “As I listen to the evidence now up to the point of trial, I think there is evidence of at least one overt act to further the conspiracy, and that evidence would fall within that framework.” This is the statute of limitations for establishing the RICO conspiracy.”

Williams and three other defendants have since reached plea deals, leaving only Shannon Stillwell and Deamonte Kendrick (aka Yak Gotti) continues to be tried.

On Thursday, Kendrick’s attorney, Douglas Weinstein, said his client had rejected the plea deal. Weinstein said his client “intends to take this to the jury, get our not guilty verdicts and go home.”

Opening statements were made at Williams’ hearing on November 27, 2023.

Hearing Jury selection took longer More than any other in Georgia history, and actual witness testimony will likely exceed state records. Both records were set by the Atlanta Public Schools teacher scandal and lawsuit in 2014-15.

Williams signaled. 33rd birthday on August 16, After being arrested in Buckhead on May 9, 2022, along with 27 other suspected gang members under a 56-count indictment.

The trial started on November 27, 2023.

Defense attorneys have repeatedly expressed concern about the matter. hearing length, and Fulton County prosecutors still have more than 100 witnesses to call.

Prosecutors are trying to show that Young Slime Life, or YSL, is a criminal street gang responsible for numerous crimes. Defense lawyers say YSL is just the name of a record label, not a gang.

Williams was also charged with possession of marijuana with intent to distribute, possession of codeine with intent to distribute, possession of cocaine, possession of a firearm and possession of a machine gun.

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